Abstract: A refractory insert is provided, including a main body part having a first surface defining a first sidewall, an opposed second surface defining a second sidewall, and an outer peripheral surface separating the first and second surfaces, and a mechanical mating member provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The mechanical mating member includes a retention mechanism for controlling and retaining a position of a corresponding mating member in connection therewith.

Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body portion having at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the hollow main body portion. At least one refractory insert member, having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, resides within at least one of the at least one through-hole of the hollow main body portion.

Abstract: A refractory block for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, at least one third mechanical mating member defining a tab provided in a portion one of a first end and an opposed second end or a first side and an opposed second side of the main body, at least one fourth mechanical mating member comprising a groove formed in the other of the first end and the second end or the first side and the opposed second side of the main body, and at least one cavity formed in the lower surface of the main body.

Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body portion having at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the hollow main body portion. At least one refractory insert member, having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, resides within at least one of the at least one through-hole of the hollow main body portion.

Abstract: A refractory insert is provided, including a main body part having a first surface defining a first sidewall, an opposed second surface defining a second sidewall, and an outer peripheral surface separating the first and second surfaces, and a mechanical mating member provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The mechanical mating member includes a retention mechanism for controlling and retaining a position of a corresponding mating member in connection therewith.

Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, and at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the main body portion. A refractory insert member having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof resides within the at least one though-hole of the refractory block.

Abstract: A ceramic ferrule assembly is provided, including a head including at least one tab protruding outwardly from an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a stem having an annular flange about an outer peripheral surface thereof and having at least one slot formed therein, the slot being adapted to receive the tab and retain the tab in a stationary position when the stem is rotated relative the head, whereby the at least one tab and the at least one slot mechanically engage one another to secure the ferrule stem and ferrule head to prevent axial disassociation from one another without counter rotation.

Abstract: A refractory block for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, at least one third mechanical mating member defining a tab provided in a portion one of a first end and an opposed second end or a first side and an opposed second side of the main body, at least one fourth mechanical mating member comprising a groove formed in the other of the first end and the second end or the first side and the opposed second side of the main body, and at least one cavity formed in the lower surface of the main body.

Abstract: An array includes a plurality of refractory bricks, each having a substantially tubular body including a first end, an opposed second end, a central bore extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length thereof and defining an inner surface of the refractory brick, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length thereof. The outer surface of each refractory brick has a shape that transitions axially between a plurality of hexagonal portions and non-hexagonal portions along the longitudinal lengths thereof, and the plurality of refractory bricks are arranged and interlocked with one another in a vertical and horizontal manner via mating members provided on the hexagonal portions of the outer surfaces thereof. A continuous plenum space is defined by the non-hexagonal portions of the refractory bricks arranged in the array.

Abstract: A refractory block for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, at least one third mechanical mating member defining a tab provided in a portion one of a first end and an opposed second end or a first side and an opposed second side of the main body, at least one fourth mechanical mating member comprising a groove formed in the other of the first end and the second end or the first side and the opposed second side of the main body, and at least one cavity formed in the lower surface of the main body.

Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, and at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the main body portion. A refractory insert member having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof resides within the at least one though-hole of the refractory block.

Abstract: A ceramic ferrule assembly is provided, including a head including at least one tab protruding outwardly from an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a stem having an annular flange about an outer peripheral surface thereof and having at least one slot formed therein, the slot being adapted to receive the tab and retain the tab in a stationary position when the stem is rotated relative the head, whereby the at least one tab and the at least one slot mechanically engage one another to secure the ferrule stem and ferrule head to prevent axial disassociation from one another without counter rotation.

Abstract: A refractory block for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, at least one third mechanical mating member defining a tab provided in a portion one of a first end and an opposed second end or a first side and an opposed second side of the main body, at least one fourth mechanical mating member comprising a groove formed in the other of the first end and the second end or the first side and the opposed second side of the main body, and at least one cavity formed in the lower surface of the main body.

Abstract: An array includes a plurality of refractory bricks, each having a substantially tubular body including a first end, an opposed second end, a central bore extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length thereof and defining an inner surface of the refractory brick, and an outer surface extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length thereof. The outer surface of each refractory brick has a shape that transitions axially between a plurality of hexagonal portions and non-hexagonal portions along the longitudinal lengths thereof, and the plurality of refractory bricks are arranged and interlocked with one another in a vertical and horizontal manner via mating members provided on the hexagonal portions of the outer surfaces thereof. A continuous plenum space is defined by the non-hexagonal portions of the refractory bricks arranged in the array.

Abstract: A cover ferrule is provided, including a hexagonally shaped head portion, a joint shield portion provided at an upper surface of the head portion, and a stein portion extending downwardly from a first end proximate a lower surface of the head portion to an opposed second end thereof. The joint shield portion includes a central opening, coaxially aligned with respect to central openings of the head and stem portions and with a central axis of the cover ferrule, and a plurality of extension members extending radially outwardly with respect to the central axis of the cover ferrule and defining arc portions connecting respectively adjacent extension members of the joint shield portion.

Abstract: A refractory brick assembly unit is provided, including a refractory brick member having an inner passageway extending therethrough from a first opening at an inlet end face to an opposed second opening at an outlet end face thereof. A vector tile is also included, having an annular portion that is coaxially arranged with respect to a longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member positioned in a portion of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member and located proximate the second opening at the outlet end face thereof, and having a domed portion extending from a first surface of the annular portion at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member so as to occlude at least a portion of the second opening of the refractory brick member at the outlet end face thereof.

Abstract: A cover ferrule is provided, including a hexagonally shaped head portion, a joint shield portion provided at an upper surface of the head portion, and a stein portion extending downwardly from a first end proximate a lower surface of the head portion to an opposed second end thereof. The joint shield portion includes a central opening, coaxially aligned with respect to central openings of the head and stem portions and with a central axis of the cover ferrule, and a plurality of extension members extending radially outwardly with respect to the central axis of the cover ferrule and defining arc portions connecting respectively adjacent extension members of the joint shield portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solids from flue gas in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler comprises plural vertical, impact type particle separators made of a plurality of hung elements which are supported from at least one cooled support tube. The plurality of hung elements cooperate with one another at adjacent ends thereof to form a collecting channel which opens toward a flow of flue gas along the length of the support tube. Each hung element includes two mutually inverted U-shaped parts; the first U-shaped part opens towards the oncoming flow of flue gas, the second U-shaped part embraces the support tube, and the first U-shaped part is shifted relative to the second U-shaped part by some fraction of a height of the hung element. The hung elements may be made of metal or ceramic.

Abstract: A bubble cap assembly for use in fluidized bed boilers, furnaces, or reactors, has a bubble cap, a stem, and at least one pin. One end of the stem is inserted into the bubble cap. The bubble cap has outlet holes for delivering a fluidizing medium, typically into a bed of granulated material, but which prevent backsifting of the granulated material into the bubble cap. The bubble cap also has at least one insertion hole, through which a pin may be inserted. When the pin is inserted through the bubble cap insertion hole, it also occupies a groove or indentation on the stem thereby preventing separation or disassembly of the bubble cap and stem combination. An elastic gasket may be provided between the bubble cap and stem to form a fluid tight connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solids from flue gas in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler comprises plural vertical, impact type particle separators made of a plurality of hung elements which are supported from at least one cooled support tube. The plurality of hung elements cooperate with one another at adjacent ends thereof to form a collecting channel which opens toward a flow of flue gas along the length of the support tube. Each hung element includes two mutually inverted U-shaped parts; the first U-shaped part opens towards the oncoming flow of flue gas, the second U-shaped part embraces the support tube, and the first U-shaped part is shifted relative to the second U-shaped part by some fraction of a height of the hung element. The hung elements may be made of metal or ceramic.